A gloomy day turned even darker for a family of seven in New Orleans East.

Toddlers, adults and a newborn were displaced after a fire broke out just after 3 a.m. Tuesday on Shorewood Boulevard.

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"I ran outside and I saw a big fireball next door, at the neighbor's house. So I immediately just panicked and ran across the street," said Tyiesha Broadway.

Damien Robert, who grew up in the house, said he's in disbelief looking at what's left of the home that's been in his family for at least three generations. He said once the fire started, getting everyone out safely was a top priority, but it wasn't easy.

"It was very scary," he said. "We were all under a lot of pressure. It was very smoky in the house."

The family said it isn't the first time they've had to rebuild the home. It was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina, and now they're forced to pick up the pieces again.

"I feel like it's going to be a lot of work, like the first time, I feel like we're just doing it over again, the same process," said Robert.

The cause of the fire is unknown The family is staying with relatives.

"We're praying to God, sticking together and working together," said Robert.